ASC appoints key submarines executive

Adelaide shipbuilder ASC has declared itself "ready, willing and able" to make a vital contribution to future submarine construction with the appointment of a key executive.

Martin Edwards has been named general manager for future submarines as a federal government decision looms on which group will win the bid to build the Navy's next sub fleet.

Groups from Japan, Germany and France are vying for the work which is expected to be centred in Adelaide.

Recent speculation suggested Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would make an announcement within weeks.

Mr Edwards takes on his new role after working previously as ASC's chief operating officer.

He has almost 25 years of experience with the company working on both the Collins Class submarine and air warfare destroyer programs.

ASC interim chief executive Stuart Whiley said Mr Edwards would enhance the company's strategic focus as the future submarine project entered its next stage.

Mr Whiley said ASC had already forged links to hundreds of local Australian industry suppliers and had provided information to the three competing groups as part of the government's competitive evaluation process.

"ASC is ready, willing and able to make a vital contribution to the future submarine project from the earliest stages," he said.